The Idea

This is a nice attention-getting demonstration that produces a fountain-like spray in an inverted flask. If you are doing this as a demonstration—especially for younger children—be prepared to be asked to do it again.

What You Need

ring stand with a small 2-inch diameter ring

flask (250 ml works)

1-hole rubber stopper to fit the flask

approximately 12-inch section of glass tubing that can be inserted into the stopper

hotplate

oven mitt

beaker of equal or larger volume as the flask

water (with food coloring optional)

safety glasses

Method

Put on safety glasses.

Carefully slide the glass tube through the stopper, so approximately 1 inch protrudes through the narrow end of the stopper. Use proper techniques for handling the glass tubing (including wearing eye protection, protecting your hands as you push it through using a towel, and lubricating the edge with a bit of Vaseline, so you don't have to force it through the hole).

Insert the stopper into the flask.

Attach the ring on the ring stand high enough so the entire length of the tubing is supported about ½ inch above the base of the stand.

Fill the beaker close to the top with water. (Food coloring can temporarily stain your fingers.)

Assemble the apparatus, as shown in Figure 40-1. Make sure everything fits and is secure.

Take the flask out of the ring stand and remove the stopper with the tubing.

Put (a few tablespoons of) water into the flask. Set the stopper on a table.

Place the flask on the hotplate (Figure 40-2).

When the water starts to boil and the flask fills with steam (using the oven mitt), remove the flask from the hotplate and attach the stopper.

Quickly, but carefully (still using the oven mitt), reassemble the apparatus. One convenient way to do this is to note the position of the ring, remove the ring, and then place the ring over the collar of the flask. Then, with the stopper inserted, invert the flask, and (with the flask supported by the ring as it is transferred) reattach the ring on the stand. It wouldn't hurt to choreograph this a little bit before doing it (and have a second person help you). The idea is to do the transfer quickly (so you don't lose all of your steam), but safely (because you are working with glass and hot liquids). Placing an ice cube on top of the flask may further accelerate the process.

With the flask in the ring stand and the glass tubing close to the bottom of the beaker, observe what happens.

Expected Results

At first, the water starts to rise up the tube. This begins slowly at first. As the water works its way up the tube, it begins to pour into the flask. Once the water touches the interior of the flask, it begins to spray, forming a fountain that increases in intensity until the water is completely drawn out of the flask (Figure 40-3).

If positioned just right, the fountain ends in a gurgling effect. While many observers may expect the rise of the liquid up the tube, the surge of the fountain catches many people off guard.